Hello, I have a new player, a level 3 Sorcerer currently. As we have been playing, she has been doing more research into the other classes, and has realized she really likes the wizards. She is asking me about multiclassing as a wizard when she levels up next. So she would be a level 4 character, with 3 levels in sorcerer and 1 level as wizard. I am a fairly new DM and I am trying to research if doing so would be her best option or not.
So my question, are there benefits to multiclassing as a wizard? And how big of a disadvantage will she be at if she does so?
There are advantages and disadvantages to multi classing. She'll pick up some Wizard abilities and will lose out on some Sorcerer abilities, including the 4th level Ability Score Increase. And she'll always be "behind" in the highest level spells that she can cast if she multi-classes too.
But that's all mechanical. If she'll have fun with it, let her do it. Just make an in-story reason why.
Yeah, I would let her worry about the "build." After all, the three levels she has may turn out to be all she wants after looking at her options. I think that you should remind her of the 4th level Ability Score Increase, but beyond that let her feel out what she wants for the character.
I think the first question is whether we would allow muliticlassing in your game? Then would you require a "story based" way for her to gain wizard tutelage? And then how will she get the materials she needs for the wizarding ways of books, paper, inks, and such.
I have a player who started off as a Sorcerer and dipped into Wizard for a bit. She seems to be doing decent enough. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
My only reservation about the combination of Sorcerer and Wizard would be related to her stat distribution, since the 2 classes use different casting stats. If her Intelligence is only in the 13 to 14 range then it might not be the best option (at least, not at this low of a level). But then again, that's not necessarily a deal breaker, either. It depends on what she's looking at that has really piqued her interest in Wizard, that she used to be looking at Sorcerer for.
I suppose that's another thing -- if she's reading the Spellbook mechanics, and drooling over the prospect of potentially learning every spell known to D&D, you should probably discourage her. The biggest thing about Wizard is that while you might be able to learn all the spells, you are still limited on how many you can prepare at a time. The Spellbook gives you massive big-picture flexibility, because you can change out your prepared spells during any Long Rest. But you need to be changing spells in and out all the time to really get full millage out of knowing that many spells, which requires the player to have a very intricate plan that will, likely, take several sessions to unfold. It starts to develop into the sort of thing you'd expect from a megalomaniac villain in a cartoon. Somewhere during that time, the Rogue has probably done something impulsive to disrupt the flow of events the Wizard has spent weeks preparing, and made it all worthless.
In every game I have played in with my friends, we allow free character changes through level 5. Even though we are all experienced players, sometimes the character you made just doesn't connect like you thought it would.
So maybe just see if she wants to change to wizard 3 and test drive it for a few sessions.
In every game I have played in with my friends, we allow free character changes through level 5. Even though we are all experienced players, sometimes the character you made just doesn't connect like you thought it would.
So maybe just see if she wants to change to wizard 3 and test drive it for a few sessions.
Early game switches for newer players is generally the best way to go I've found. Until they actually start playing, the context of everything a class can do usually isn't apparent and it isn't really their fault for not understanding IMO.
Normally I tend to leave class decisions up to my players and don't try to limit their choices based on "what's optimal". Mechanically is it the best option? No. But not every player plays for mechanics, many play for story and build their character around a particular concept, wether that concept is "the best" doesn't really matter as long as they're having fun.
Now I will say this, there are classes, and subclasses that have issues or are problematic (particularly UA/homebrew options) and I have had new players want to play a multiclass for a feature that they'll either rarely use or won't use until high level. So I make sure they are fairly informed about their options and if they still choose to proceed then it's all fine.
And worse case scenario if she multiclasses wizard (if she can pull it off stat wise) and decides she doesn't like it then allow her to switch back, in game it could be the equivalent that her character realized that study wasn't as easy as developing her natural abilities and so spent time focusing her efforts there. Make it take time and training so it's not an instant switch then when you've felt enough has passed let her switch the Wizard levels for sorcerer ones (as long as she loses everything wizard related).
You could even take the Starfinder approach and give her the option of paying a wizard to erase her memories or to alter her fate/past (obviously make it expensive to show it's not a common thing). You could even turn it into a side quest to complete some task for the wizard in exchange for the service
I was thinking to multiclass to a wizard once my sorceror reaches lvl 20, so I have looked into this a lot. The spellbook would give her a lot of flexibility, but it would also be a bit of a drawback. In the end, it depends on if she has proper stats and why she is multiclassing. If she has a really high charisma and intelligence, go for it. Otherwise, use the 4th level ability increase, and mulitclass next level. If she is multiclassing for power and more spells, it wouldnt work out so good. If she is multiclassing from a roleplaying standpoint, like learning more about her magic, then magic in general, then I would agree.
Hello, I have a new player, a level 3 Sorcerer currently. As we have been playing, she has been doing more research into the other classes, and has realized she really likes the wizards. She is asking me about multiclassing as a wizard when she levels up next. So she would be a level 4 character, with 3 levels in sorcerer and 1 level as wizard. I am a fairly new DM and I am trying to research if doing so would be her best option or not.
So my question, are there benefits to multiclassing as a wizard? And how big of a disadvantage will she be at if she does so?
Thank sin advance!
There are advantages and disadvantages to multi classing. She'll pick up some Wizard abilities and will lose out on some Sorcerer abilities, including the 4th level Ability Score Increase. And she'll always be "behind" in the highest level spells that she can cast if she multi-classes too.
But that's all mechanical. If she'll have fun with it, let her do it. Just make an in-story reason why.
Professional computer geek
Yeah, I would let her worry about the "build." After all, the three levels she has may turn out to be all she wants after looking at her options. I think that you should remind her of the 4th level Ability Score Increase, but beyond that let her feel out what she wants for the character.
I think the first question is whether we would allow muliticlassing in your game? Then would you require a "story based" way for her to gain wizard tutelage? And then how will she get the materials she needs for the wizarding ways of books, paper, inks, and such.
I have a player who started off as a Sorcerer and dipped into Wizard for a bit. She seems to be doing decent enough. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
My only reservation about the combination of Sorcerer and Wizard would be related to her stat distribution, since the 2 classes use different casting stats. If her Intelligence is only in the 13 to 14 range then it might not be the best option (at least, not at this low of a level). But then again, that's not necessarily a deal breaker, either. It depends on what she's looking at that has really piqued her interest in Wizard, that she used to be looking at Sorcerer for.
I suppose that's another thing -- if she's reading the Spellbook mechanics, and drooling over the prospect of potentially learning every spell known to D&D, you should probably discourage her. The biggest thing about Wizard is that while you might be able to learn all the spells, you are still limited on how many you can prepare at a time. The Spellbook gives you massive big-picture flexibility, because you can change out your prepared spells during any Long Rest. But you need to be changing spells in and out all the time to really get full millage out of knowing that many spells, which requires the player to have a very intricate plan that will, likely, take several sessions to unfold. It starts to develop into the sort of thing you'd expect from a megalomaniac villain in a cartoon. Somewhere during that time, the Rogue has probably done something impulsive to disrupt the flow of events the Wizard has spent weeks preparing, and made it all worthless.
In every game I have played in with my friends, we allow free character changes through level 5. Even though we are all experienced players, sometimes the character you made just doesn't connect like you thought it would.
So maybe just see if she wants to change to wizard 3 and test drive it for a few sessions.
Site Info: Wizard's ToS | Fan Content Policy | Forum Rules | Physical Books | Content Not Working | Contact Support
How To: Homebrew Rules | Create Homebrew | Snippet Codes | Tool Tips (Custom) | Rollables (Generator)
My Homebrew: Races | Subclasses | Backgrounds | Feats | Spells | Magic Items
Other: Beyond20 | Page References | Other Guides | Entitlements | Dice Randomization | Images Fix | FAQ
Perhaps suggest your player retire the character and let her make a full wizard.
I was going to suggest this.
Early game switches for newer players is generally the best way to go I've found. Until they actually start playing, the context of everything a class can do usually isn't apparent and it isn't really their fault for not understanding IMO.
Thanks for all the reply's guys, the help is much appreciated!
Normally I tend to leave class decisions up to my players and don't try to limit their choices based on "what's optimal". Mechanically is it the best option? No. But not every player plays for mechanics, many play for story and build their character around a particular concept, wether that concept is "the best" doesn't really matter as long as they're having fun.
Now I will say this, there are classes, and subclasses that have issues or are problematic (particularly UA/homebrew options) and I have had new players want to play a multiclass for a feature that they'll either rarely use or won't use until high level. So I make sure they are fairly informed about their options and if they still choose to proceed then it's all fine.
And worse case scenario if she multiclasses wizard (if she can pull it off stat wise) and decides she doesn't like it then allow her to switch back, in game it could be the equivalent that her character realized that study wasn't as easy as developing her natural abilities and so spent time focusing her efforts there. Make it take time and training so it's not an instant switch then when you've felt enough has passed let her switch the Wizard levels for sorcerer ones (as long as she loses everything wizard related).
You could even take the Starfinder approach and give her the option of paying a wizard to erase her memories or to alter her fate/past (obviously make it expensive to show it's not a common thing). You could even turn it into a side quest to complete some task for the wizard in exchange for the service
I was thinking to multiclass to a wizard once my sorceror reaches lvl 20, so I have looked into this a lot. The spellbook would give her a lot of flexibility, but it would also be a bit of a drawback. In the end, it depends on if she has proper stats and why she is multiclassing. If she has a really high charisma and intelligence, go for it. Otherwise, use the 4th level ability increase, and mulitclass next level. If she is multiclassing for power and more spells, it wouldnt work out so good. If she is multiclassing from a roleplaying standpoint, like learning more about her magic, then magic in general, then I would agree.
Zargorth Dakzonar, High Elf Sorceror
she will be the most op player at the table (30+ 2nd level spell slots it only gets worse)